The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-01-02


other for twenty years. For the Repub-
lican party at that time was not what it
had been IN its prime. Its leaders were
not like those enthusiasts who had Gre
ated it, organized il and made the record
which gave it long lease of power.
Right or wrong, the first Republicans
had cause and fought for principles.
They were the disciples of q new pOliti-
cal religion; they were fanatics who be-
lieved in the doctrines for which they
fought; thew had so much faith that
they forgot themselves and cast law and
reason aside al akin to the world, the
flesh and the devil, as did all those who
have created revolutions, inaugurated
new faiths or made new eras in history.
Their enthusiasm infected a great people,
and men who had believed in the sane
tity of the constitution made by their
ia hers, began to worship the new light
and follow it blindly. Those who can
do this for any cause are great. Those
who dare martyrdOm for a good cause,
became the saints of a new faith, and
the world acknowledges their merit at
last. So it has been with the fathers of
the Republican party. They were con-
fronted by faith as pure. martyrs as de
voted, but they won, and on their record
smaller men ruled by holding their scep-
tres when they had passed away.
But fer twenty years the people of the
United States have realized that times
hs We changed and men had changed
with them. The shadow of the old
power still remained, but it was upheld
by monopoly, private interests and sec
tional animosity, not by the faith of a
people stimulated by the devotion of
martyrs. Therefore, the campaign
fought by Cleveland and Reform" was
successful. for the same reason that the
old cause lost, i. e., the arguments given
for support applied to palpabie and
present need of the country, and together
constituted principle of action binding
individual supporters into a mass of fol-
lowers.
When cleveland and Reform" had
won, then the man, in all honesty aud
sincerity, proceeded to apply the princi-
pie. One year was needed for the def
milton of his position and the clearance
of the field for action. Another year
was needed that all might understand
the unbending purpose of the man and
the application of his theory to practice.
The second year has now ended. What
is the situation? As yet We are SO con-
fused by the smoke of the battle and dis
tracted by the cries of the wounded,
that we hardly know with whom the
victory lies. Mr.. Cleveland has won the
respect of friend and foe; even if worst
ed he has written his name high among
those who live in history, and he is rec
ognized as one who fights for others and
for principles, Drawing all danger and
regardless Of possible ruin to himself.
But the mighty strength of body he car
ried into Office is left on a sick bed, the
great work accomplished may have left
traces of exhaustion on heart and pur-
pose as well a. on hand an0 brow. God
grant that this be not so, for during the
coming year physical strength is almost
necessary as determination to the COM
pletiOn of his plan. If he has carried
the first line of entertainments, there are
rifle pits yet ahead, and into these he
may fall if he allows self-seeking or am
bition to interfere with his purpose. So
stands it with Mr.. Cleveland, who has
made another epoch in our political
history, and given us the point for a new
departure.
How stands it with the party which
Mr.. Cleveland led to victory two years
agof If we would win again we must
not expect to do so on MIR. Cleveland's
record alone. Our present position he
has fortified and will probably make still
stronger, but it is personal work and
strengthens himself, not necessarily the
party. We have 80 accustomed ourselves
to offensive attacks on the positions of
the enemy, that we must remember to
look after our record next time. Are we
united on the tariff or on any other issue
which We must carry through the next
campaign? We must not expect to win
on any platform of glittering generalities;
the people want no fight between wind
bags; they will take no interest in idle
war. Many Republicans are honest as
we'll as many Democrats; many Republi-
cans are reformers az we'll as we; many
believe exactly as we do on at least some
of the great questions occupying public
attention. What is the faith distir-
gushing US from cur foe: If Carlisle
and Morrison do not represent our plan
of action, hIw do we stand on the tariff !:
What is our plan for the reduction of the
surplus? We must formulate our ideas
plainly if we would win again; we must
define our position and concentrate our
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